The Money Left Over: How The Braves Could Use Their Money Wisely

The Atlanta Braves have around $30 million to spend this off-season. That isn't too shabby a number.

This is assuming the following:

1. Tim Hudson's extension lowering his pay $8 million         
2. Rafael Soriano, $6 million
3. Mike Gonzalez $3.5 million
4. Adam LaRoche $7 million
5. Garret Anderson $2.5 million
6. Ryan Church $2.5 million

So with $30 million, the Braves have a couple of huge holes: First Base, Outfield, and Closer / Bullpen.

First Base - Adam LaRoche was brilliant for the Braves in 2009. But it was all in the second half. Everyone knows LaRoche is a second half hitter, and isn't too great in the first half of the year.

The first baseman problem likely won't be solved with a trade, and the Braves will have to look at free agents such as Carlos Delgado, Nick Johnson and they can still try to negotiate a deal with Adam LaRoche.

I read that Jorge Cantu was an itriguing option, but the Braves wouldn't get him for free; they would likely have to trade a pitcher. Trading a good pitcher to a division rival? No thanks.

I wrote before that Carlos Delgado might be a good fit. Otherwise, Nick Johnson wouldn't be too shabby. And of course, you could try and sign LaRoche for a short-term deal to lead the way for rising Braves prospect Freddie Freeman.

Bullpen/Closer- I think that Peter Moylan and Eric O Flaherty can be great setup guys. They both pitched effectively towards the end of the year. I think that the closer situation can be solved by trade. Kawakami can easily bring back a closer from a starting-pitching hungry team.

How about the Kansas City Royals? Joakim Soria is an awesome closer who had a 2.21 ERA in 2009. He also only made $1 million this year. The Braves might have to eat some of Kawakami's contract here though, since KC isn't a huge salary team. So...

Braves get - Joakim Soria

Royals get - Kenshin Kawakami and $2 million a year to help with Kawakami's contract.

This situation also gives the Braves about $5 million extra. Not too bad.

Outfield - Every Braves fan knows who Jason Heyward is. The future of this Atlanta Organization, the heir to the throne of Chipper Jones. Chances are Heyward will take a Tommy Hanson path, entering the Majors in June 2010. Nate McLouth is a lock for an outfield spot. So that leaves one spot...

The Braves need a bigtime hitter. Look at every team that made the playoffs this year, they have a MVP Candidate hitter in their lineup.

1. Phillies - Utley, Howard
2. Cardinals - Pujols, Holliday
3. Rockies - Tulowitski
4. Dodgers - Ramirez, Ethier
5. Red Sox - Bay
6. Yankees - Rodriguez, Teixiera
   
7. Twins - Mauer
8. Angels - Hunter

The Braves - McCann is good, but not an MVP guy. So we need a guy like Holliday or Bay. These are the two guys that the bidding will go flying on, and it will be tough for the Braves to sign them. BUT... the Braves can easily have $22-25 million left after the bullpen, first base, and a couple of utility spots are solved. Go out and sign Holliday/Bay.

So how exactly would this look for next year?

Starting Rotation -

1. Javier Vazquez
2. Jair Jurrjens
3. Tommy Hanson
4. Tim Hudson
5. Derek Lowe

Starting Lineup -

1. Nate McLouth
2. Martin Prado
3. Chipper Jones
4. Matt Holliday/Jason Bay
5. Brian McCann
6. Yunel Escobar
7. Jason Heyward
8. Carlos Delgado
9. -Pitcher's Spot-

Can't tell me that isn't a championship caliber team right there. That makes the total salary of this team at about $96 million.

Your thoughts?